Hope grows more serious again, though still with the smile that's growing more rare. "It was pretty cool. But if I was choosing the most impressive thing I've done, I'd say that I've fucked up badly, but I've always tried to do better after." She moves so she can wrap an arm around Tris. "I love you for who you are too, you know."
She rests her head on Hope's shoulder. "I know. Thank you, Hope." For
caring, and for taking the extra step of saying the words. That doesn't
come naturally to either of them.
"I've gotten pretty good at making cupcakes, too. Because you taught me how to bake. Because you chose to be kind, when so many people could and have chosen differently. Because you listen to people, and take in what they say, not what you want to hear. Because you face consequences and live with them. Because you're compassionate. Because you're angry at injustice, but want to fight against it in a way to help others, not just to make yourself feel better." There's no doubting Hope's sincerity, not with the care she uses in talking and her usual restraint.
"I can love people who kind of suck, but I always have a solid case when I say someone's great." And she's willing to say it, not because she thinks Tris doesn't know, but because she wants to tell her.
Tris isn't remotely equipped to respond to that kind of speech. A sentence
or two of it would be difficult enough.
Her breath hitches, and she does the only thing she can think of, wrapping
an arm around Hope and hugging her tightly. She freezes like that for a
moment, then kisses Hope on the cheek.
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"Yes, but that isn't my favorite thing about you," Tris feels the need to point out. "I love who you are, not what you've done."
Though what she's done is because of and part of who she is.
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"That's worth being proud of," Tris agrees.
She rests her head on Hope's shoulder. "I know. Thank you, Hope." For caring, and for taking the extra step of saying the words. That doesn't come naturally to either of them.
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"I can love people who kind of suck, but I always have a solid case when I say someone's great." And she's willing to say it, not because she thinks Tris doesn't know, but because she wants to tell her.
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Tris isn't remotely equipped to respond to that kind of speech. A sentence or two of it would be difficult enough.
Her breath hitches, and she does the only thing she can think of, wrapping an arm around Hope and hugging her tightly. She freezes like that for a moment, then kisses Hope on the cheek.